Lindsey Vander Weide
Biography
Personal: Vander Weide acknowledges University of Oregon head volleyball coach Matt Ulmer as a person who has made a difference in her life. His guidance and mentorship played a crucial role in her development as a volleyball athlete. In her personal life, Vander Weide has two cats named Genius and Smooch, emphasizing her love for animals. She expresses a strong connection to The Humane Society, reflecting her passion for animal welfare. If not playing volleyball, she envisions herself working with animals, aligning her professional pursuits with her personal values. Beyond her athletic pursuits, Vander Weide's interests encompassed playing the piano and saxophone when she was younger, highlighting her musical talents. She also enjoys thrifting, showcasing her eclectic tastes and hobbies outside of sports. Vander Weide's journey as a volleyball athlete and her commitment to causes close to her heart demonstrate her well-rounded character and dedication to making a positive impact both on and off the court.
Other Professional Experience: Vander Weide has an extensive professional volleyball career, having played in various countries since 2019. Her international experience showcases her talent and adaptability as a volleyball athlete. She spent the 2022-23 season with Changas de Naranjito in Puerto Rico, further adding to her diverse professional journey.
At Oregon: Vander Weide is a four-year letter winner at the University of Oregon, where she made a significant impact on the volleyball court. Her college career spanned from 2015 to 2018, during which she appeared in 124 matches and played in 464 sets. Her contributions to the team were substantial, and she left a lasting legacy at Oregon. Throughout her college career, Vander Weide accumulated impressive statistics, including 1,447 kills, 108 service aces, 1,242 digs, and 236 total blocks. Her standout performances earned her recognition as a Third-Team AVCA All-American in both her sophomore and senior seasons. Additionally, she secured a spot on the AVCA Pacific North All-Region Team in those same seasons. Vander Weide's remarkable achievement at Oregon was becoming the fifth player in program history to accumulate 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career. She closed her career at Oregon ranked fourth in program history in career points (1,687), while also ranking sixth in both kills and digs. Her consistency and versatility as an outside hitter were evident throughout her college career. Her senior season was arguably her best, as she collected 432 kills with 33 service aces. She also set career highs with 367 digs and 496.5 points during her final season with the Ducks. Her well-rounded game and ability to contribute in various aspects of play made her a key asset to the team. As a junior, Vander Weide appeared in all 30 matches and 113 sets, leading Oregon with nine double-double efforts. Her leadership and ability to perform in crucial moments were evident in her contributions to the team. In her sophomore season, she played in all 117 sets and ranked 10th in the Pac-12 Conference by averaging 3.24 kills per set. Vander Weide tied for eighth in the Pac-12 with 12 double-double performances as a sophomore and notched four matches with 20 or more kills. Her growth and impact on the team were evident as she continued to excel in her role. Vander Weide's collegiate journey began on a high note when she became just the second freshman in program history to earn All-Pac-12 distinction. Starting 29-of-30 matches, she ranked second on the team by averaging 3.21 kills per set, showcasing her immediate impact on the college volleyball scene.